Hours after the fighting died down, supporters of the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gathered for a rally at which he defiantly declared that it had been his duty to clear the park.

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Its occupation in protest at the redevelopment of Istanbul by politically connected entrepreneurs ignited nationwide demonstrations against Mr Erdogan's rule. In a speech to tens of thousands of supporters in western Istanbul, Mr Erdogan also railed against criticism over his government's handling of the protests and suggestions that he was creating deep rifts within Turkish society.

"We have reached an end. We cannot stand it any more. And as you know, yesterday the operation was carried out, and it was cleared," he said.

"I did my duty as prime minister. Otherwise there would be no point in my being in office."

A spokesman for the protesters promised that they would retake Gezi Park and nearby Taksim Square.